On today’s menu we have some delicious veggie filled pork dumplings. Whenever my mom makes dumplings she always stuffs as much veggies as she can into them! When I was younger I hated when she did that, but now I love it! I think it adds so much flavor and juice to the dumplings. You can use all kinds of vegetables, but for this recipe got I decided to use some Chinese chives and zucchini.
How should I prepare my pork dumplings?
Here are three ways to prepare dumplings:
- Pan fry: This is probably my favorite way because I love the crispy bottom. It is also super easy to do. All you have to do is place the dumplings down on an oiled frying pan, pour some water into the pan, then place a lid on top. The water will steam the dumplings while the oil gets it nice and crispy. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Boil: This is probably the easiest way to cook your dumplings. I like to do this if I am short on time or want my dinner ASAP. All you have to do for this is boil a pot of water and place the dumplings in. Boil until the dumplings float (which is around 6 minutes if not frozen).
- Steam: This is probably on the same easiness level as boiling, however, you need to have the correct tools to do so. If you don’t have a steamer basket then it will definitely be harder!
Key ingredients for these veggie filled pork dumplings:
- Ground pork
- This time around I used some group pork for my choice of meat, which is the traditional choice anyways. However, I love using ground chicken or turkey as well.
- Soy sauce and oyster sauce
- These two sauces add a salty umami flavor! If you are allergic to shell fish sub the oyster sauce for some vegetarian oyster sauce.
- Sugar
- This is a key ingredient that people often miss! I ‘ve tried dumplings both with and with out sugar, and I will tell you that the one with was much better.
- Green onion, garlic, and ginger
- These three ingredients are essential in Chinese cooking. You them for sauces, stir fry’s, dumplings, and more!
- Oil
- I added two types of oil here: olive oil and sesame oil. I added olive oil because a large amount of sesame oil will over power the flavor! This keeps the filling nice and juicy.
- Zucchini
- I shredded my zucchini before preparing anything else because I wanted to drain as much water out as possible. To do this I placed the shredded zucchini in a strainer and added some salt. The salt will extract water.
- Chinese chives
- This ingredient is hard to find in American grocery stores, however, any Asian market will have this on hand. If you can’t get ahold of this, then I suggest substituting with regular chives or leave it out!
- Dumpling wrappers
- I used circular wrappers because they are easier to fold into a dumpling shape. Square wrappers are typically used for wontons!
Veggie Filled Pork Dumplings
These veggie filled dumplings will be on your dinner menu every week! They are loaded with fresh ingredients and tons of flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 tbs low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbs oyster sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 stalked minced green onion
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp sesame oil
- 1 shredded zucchini
- 1 cup Chinese chives
- 48 dumpling wrappers
Instructions
- First start by shredding the zucchini and season it with salt to drain the water from it.
- Prepare the garlic, green onion, ginger, and Chinese chives.
- In a large mixing bowl season the pork with the soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, sugar, white popper, garlic, ginger, and green onion. Mix everything together.
- Now add in the oil and water. Stir again.
- Finally add in the zucchini and Chinese chives and give it one last mix.
- Get the dumpling wrappers ready with a bowl of water next to your work station.
- Add one tablespoon of the filling in the center of the dumpling wrapper. Line half one half the dumpling wrapper with water then fold the wrapper over the filling and press the seams together. Continue until all the wrappers and filling are gone.
- To pan fry the dumplings, pour 1 tbsp of avocado oil in to a fraying pan. Then place the dumplings in. Add 1 tbsp of water and cover with a lid. Steam for 8 minutes and serve!
